first hear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "first hear of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the moment someone learns about something for the first time. Example: "I was surprised when I first heard of the new policy during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

GAZETTE: How did you first hear of this story?

Harvard University

How did you first hear of the anti-gay campaign?

The New Yorker

The man's name is Chuck Ramkissoon, and we first hear of him as a corpse.

The New Yorker

When did I first hear of witches?" etc. for every main character or action.

Independent

DANIEL CAPPELLO: When did you first hear of Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri?

The New Yorker

"I usually first hear of my target companies through local word of mouth," he says.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

That is where I first heard of Columbia, where I first heard of the Ivy League.

Columbia University

The public first heard of General Susno less than a year ago.

The New York Times

When I first heard of it, it sounded annoyingly absurd.

The New York Times

I first heard of the group in 1965.

The Guardian - Music

Słopnice's mayor first heard of Bernie Sanders in 2013.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "first hear of", ensure the context clearly indicates the initial point of awareness or knowledge acquisition. Providing additional context about where or from whom you initially heard the information can enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "first hear of" when describing later encounters or deeper understanding of a topic. This phrase specifically denotes the initial moment of awareness, not ongoing or evolving knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first hear of" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate the point at which someone initially becomes aware of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show its use in describing when someone learned about a person, event, or concept.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

39%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "first hear of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote the initial moment of becoming aware of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and analysis reveals it functions to establish a timeline and provide context. The phrase is suitable for neutral registers, appearing frequently in news and academic sources. When writing, ensure that its use accurately reflects the initial point of awareness and consider alternative phrases like "initially learn about" for varied stylistic needs. Avoid confusing it with later stages of understanding or discovery. The phrase is frequently found in authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and Yale University.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initially learn about

Emphasizes the beginning of the learning process regarding something.

Become aware of initially

Highlights the start of awareness regarding a specific subject.

First become conscious of

Indicates the initial moment of becoming aware or mindful of something.

Get wind of for the first time

Suggests discovering information, often through informal means or rumors.

Encounter for the first time

Focuses on the first experience or exposure to something new.

Discover initially

Highlights the act of finding out or uncovering something for the first time.

Find out about initially

Emphasizes the beginning of the process of gaining knowledge about something.

Be introduced to initially

Focuses on the first time being presented with or exposed to something.

First be informed about

Highlights the receipt of information for the first time.

Come to know initially

Indicates the beginning of the process of getting to know or understand something.

FAQs

How can I use "first hear of" in a sentence?

You can use "first hear of" to describe the moment you initially learned about something. For example, "I "first heard of" the company through a friend" or "When did you "first hear of" the new policy?".

What is a formal alternative to "first hear of"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "initially became aware of" or "initially learned about". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated tone while conveying the same meaning of initial awareness.

Is it correct to say "first heard of" instead of "first hear of"?

Yes, "first heard of" is the past tense form and is correct when describing a past event. The present form, "first hear of", is typically used in questions or hypothetical situations. The choice depends on the tense of the sentence.

What's the difference between "first hear of" and "discover"?

"First hear of" refers specifically to the initial moment you become aware of something through information from an external source. "Discover", on the other hand, implies finding something out through your own investigation or experience. For example, you "first hear of" a band from a friend, but you discover their music when you listen to their album.